“You look beautiful tonight, Claire,” he says to me when he lets me go just outside the sanctuary with a sweet kiss on the cheek.
“I’d have tae agree with ye, mate,” a Scottish brogue says behind me. Spinning, I’m rendered speechless. My mouth falls open as I stare into Alex’s beautiful blue eyes.
“How? Where?” He laughs as I stammer at him. He pulls me into a light kiss, being careful not to smudge my makeup.
“I messaged Lily for the information. I didnae like the idea of ye coming stag tae a wedding. Gives other men the impression ye’re available. Cannae have that, can I?” His smile lights up his face.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I actually giggle at him. Since when did I start giggling? A better question might be, why can’t I stop? “I can’t believe Lily didn’t tell me you were coming.” I’m quickly drug back into the church for pictures while Alex sits patiently in the back waiting.
I can’t get over how gorgeous he looks dressed in a three-piece wool suit. I don’t even remember seeing a picture of him in a suit. He looks up from his phone, catching me watching him. He winks before returning to his phone.
We ride with Lily and Matthew to the reception. Lily growls at him once, but I notice she has a small smile on her face this time. “Why didn’t you tell me he was coming?” I ask her as we ride to the country club.
“He wanted to surprise you. Mom also knows, so there’s already a place for him at the table. I put him next to Colin, just in case he needs to be taught a lesson. His specialty is groin punches.” She grins back at me, batting her eyelashes in mock innocence.
“I would like to know who gets to light Colin up when he acts bad?” Matt mumbles from the driver’s seat.
“I think that’s Maggie’s job now, Matt,” I say before turning to Alex. His eyebrows are creased in the middle in concern. “Colin broke Matt’s ribs right after he and Lily started dating. It’s a complicated story.”
“That no one needs to know, Claire,” Matt says, looking at me in the rearview mirror. I mouth to Alex that I will fill him in later. He grins back at me with a nod.
When we find our table, my friends have beat us there. “Everyone, I want to introduce you to Alex Ross. Alex, this is Colin, Maggie, Marcus, Dia. You already know Matt and Lily, of course.” He says hello, shaking the men’s hands before we all sit down.
“So, Alex,” Dia starts. I cringe, waiting for what she will say. She has never been known for her discretion. “I understand you met in the library in Portland? It was the school library, right?” He looks at her warily for a few minutes before answering.
“Aye, that’s right. She was studying for a child psychology test.” Dia nods her head with mock seriousness before Maggie speaks up.
“I guess I missed this story. Why were you in the library, Alex? Do you go to school there?” she asks innocently. I’m not sure where this is going but I can already smell a setup.
“Naw, I followed her in tae get her cell number. I was teaching a fitbaw clinic on their pitch. For inner-city kids,” he answers.
“That’s funny. I thought you played soccer?” Marcus adds, narrowing his eyes at him.
“Aye, soccer. Sorry,” he mumbles.
“Did you ever get her number?” Lily asks. He looks at Lily, his voice coming out a growl.
“Naw, Lily. I dinnae get her number. I dinnae have time.”
“So you had time to copulate in the bookstacks, but not time to get a phone number?” Colin asks. Everyone is watching him. I can tell by the extreme effort on their faces they are trying not to laugh.
“I got interrupted,” he mumbles, his face growing bright red.
“Way I heard it, you had plenty of time to finish. Library boy.” Colin lets a smirk spread across his face as the others lose their battles not to grin.
“What are you doing over here?” a deep growl demands from behind Colin.
“Just giving the new guy a hard time, Daddy Grayson,” Colin responds before everyone starts laughing.
“Ignore them,” Grayson says before smacking Colin on the back of the head. “I’m your age asshole. Don’t call me Daddy. If you can’t play nice, you’re going to be moved to the kids’ table.” Turning to Alex he reaches out his hand.
When Alex stands shaking it, he adds, “You know you’ve been accepted when Lily threatens to rip off your balls or Colin breaks something. Right, gentlemen?” He reaches across the table, receiving a high five from Marcus and Matt. “We’re glad you were able to come. I know Claire will enjoy the evening much more with you here.”
“Is this our infamous soccer-playing, library sexing, pretty boy who’s dating Claire?” Izzy asks, sliding her arms around her new husband.
“Thank ye for letting me crash yer wedding. I hope it wisnae too much trouble,” he says, turning slightly red again.
Smiling at him warmly, she looks at me, “He even sounds sexy, Claire. Nice job! We are so glad to finally meet you. Do you prefer Alex or Xander?” she asks.
